Digging up the grave: The Toraja tribe of Indonesia and their strange funeral traditions 

Funerals are sombre events. But in some parts of Indonesia, the funeral rituals are rather bizarre. Indonesia’s Taroja tribe mummifies and preserves the bodies of the deceased. Well, after the bodies are finally buried, the Taroja people dig up the grave once a year to meet their deceased relatives.  Doesn't this sound like a scene from the American drama series, The Walking Dead (2010)? Well, there’s more to the funeral rituals of Indonesia’s Taroja tribe. Want to know more?  Keep reading! 

Rambu Solo: the funeral tradition of the Taroja tribe at a glance 
The Taroja tribe is indigenous to Tana, southern Sulawesi, Indonesia. About 750,000 Taroja people reside in Tana, which is locally known as the ‘Land of Heavenly Kings’. This tribe regards funeral ceremonies to be an integral part of their culture. Known as Rambu Solo, this funeral ceremony honours and transports the spirits to the ‘afterlife’.  

The Taroja people believe that a person is only truly dead if all the rituals are carried out. If not, the person is labelled sick or weak, placed in a bed and given water. People sometimes even go and speak with the deceased! So, they never skimp on the funeral expenses. The more wealthy and powerful a person is, the more expensive the funeral! There is no time limit for funerals. A Rambu solo can last several days, depending on the family’s social status.  

Rituals of Rambu Solo 
The deceased person’s body is preserved in formaldehyde and water. Every day before the funeral rituals begin, the body is customarily fed! Strange, right? The body is placed in a separate room on a comfortable bed with dried plants beside them to mask the odour.  

The funeral involves three crucial rituals, starting with Ma'tinggoro Tedong or buffalo slaughter. The tribe believes that buffaloes help spirits enter the afterlife. As a result, buffaloes are sacrificed after a procession. Following the sacrifice, another ritual known as Tedong Silaga or buffalo fighting takes place. This is the highlight and is usually performed only by wealthy families. Before the game, the buffaloes are given a healthy and nutritious meal, as well as a massage! The final ritual of the ceremony is Sisemba. In this ceremony, people kick each other in an open field! And there are no rules. After the ritual, various traditional foods are served and traditional dances are performed. With these, people mark the funeral’s end and bid farewell to the spirits. 

Ma’nene: The ritual of meeting the deceased relatives 
The burial of the dead is not the last time the families can see them. They can reunite with their deceased relatives through the Ma'nene ritual. How? During this ritual, the body is removed from the grave, washed and dressed in new clothes! Then, the deceased person is taken to the village to meet other people. This event takes place every year in August and draws thousands of tourists. Family members travel long distances to be reunited with deceased relatives. They may even take photographs of the bodies and bring new clothes for them. The Taroja tribe believes that if they treat their ancestors properly, the holy spirit will lavishly reward them. Ma'nene concludes with the people returning the deceased’s body to the coffins. And this is not it, they even leave them with a parting gift, such as watches or jewellery.